Welcome to the Link. Each month the ipl2 brings you some of the best information sites on the Internet. If you have an Internet connection, you can connect with us!
The August edition of the Link is bursting with birthdays and celebrations throughout the world. So join the party and explore the world through these colorful and informative websites!
Suggest a site for the ipl2. Know of a great site, but you cannot find it in the ipl2? Use the form located at http://www.ipl.org/div/contact/ to let us know about good resources to add to our collections.
AUGUST 1
NATIONAL DAY (SWITZERLAND)
Swiss National Day Celebration Photo – found on Creative Commons – Flickr Photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traviscrawford/2723772172/
Country Profile: Switzerland
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1035212.stm
This news site provides an overview of Switzerland, including basic facts, profile of leaders, timeline of key events, and description of local media. Features news stories, an audio file of the Swiss national anthem, and links to related sites. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
INDEPENDENCE DAY (BENIN)
Country Profile: Benin
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1064527.stm
Profile of Benin, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events back to 1946, and information about Benin’s leaders and media. Site also includes links to related news stories and audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
AUGUST 2
INDEPENDENCE DAY (JAMAICA)
Satellite image of Jamaica in November 2001.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/26qjnsw
Country Profile: Jamaica
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1190968.stm
Profile of this Caribbean island, “the birthplace of Rastafarianism.” Includes demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events, and information about Jamaican leaders and media. Site also includes links to related news stories, audio of the national anthem, and video of some news stories. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
National Library of Jamaica
Includes a photograph gallery and information on the “history, heritage, and governance” of Jamaica.
AUGUST 3
INDEPENDENCE DAY (NIGER)
Country Profile: Niger
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1054396.stm
Profile of Niger, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events, and information about its leaders and media. Site also includes links to related news stories and audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
AUGUST 4
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – US COAST GUARD
US Coast Guard MH90 Enforcer.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Coast_Guard_MH90_Enforcer.jpg
U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office
This official site for the “smallest armed service of the United States” has current Coast Guard news and history, including facts tracing its establishment back to 1790. It outlines its multi-mission maritime service under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and the Secretary of the Navy during wartime. Includes a FAQ, daily chronology of USCG history, and information on careers, units, and missions (such as maritime safety and national defense).
AUGUST 5
INDEPENDENCE DAY (BURKINA FASO)
Country Profile: Burkina Faso
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1032616.stm
Description: Profile of Burkina Faso, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events back to 1919, and information about Burkina Faso leaders and media. Site also includes audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
AUGUST 6
INDEPENDENCE DAY (BOLIVIA)
Country Profile: Bolivia
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/botoc.html
Part of the Country Studies/Area Handbook series “describing and analyzing [Bolivia's] political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors.” Research completed December 1989. Searchable; can limit your search to one or more countries. From the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
AUGUST 7
INDEPENDENCE DAY (COTE d’IVOIRE)
Flag-map of Cote d’Ivoire.png
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag-map_of_Cote_d%27Ivoire.png
Country Profile: Cote d’Ivoire
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/citoc.html
Part of the Country Studies/Area Handbook series “describing and analyzing [Cote d'Ivoire's] political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors.” Research completed November 1988. Searchable; can limit your search to one or more countries. From the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
AUGUST 9
NATIONAL DAY (SINGAPORE)
Singapore Skyline at Night with Blue Sky.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Singapore_Skyline_at_Night_with_Blue_Sky.JPG
Uniquely Singapore: The official website for tourist information on Singapore
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home.html
This is Singapore Tourism Board’s official tourism information site. It provides a wide variety of information about food, shopping, accommodations, entertainments and festivals in Singapore.
AUGUST 11
INDEPENDENCE DAY (CHAD)
Flag of Chad.svg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Chad.svg
Chad
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/cuvl/Chad.html
This site provides annotated links to information about Chad in the areas of economic development, education, environment, history, politics, human rights, online news, and more. Some of the links are to French-language sites, and these are clearly indicated by their abstracts. From Columbia University Libraries.
AUGUST13
INDEPENDENCE DAY (CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC)
Country Profile: Central African Republic
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1067518.stm
Profile of the Central African Republic (CAR), including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events, and information about CAR leaders and media. Site also includes links to related news stories, and audio of the national anthem and some news stories. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
AUGUST 14
INDEPENDENCE DAY (PAKISTAN)
Flag of Pakistan.svg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Pakistan.svg
Pakistan Virtual Library
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/pak/
An annotated collection of links to websites on Pakistan. Topics include business, computers, education, government, news, travel, and more. A Virtual Library site.
Pakistan: A Country Study
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pktoc.html
Contains a historical overview, and information on the geography, economy, government, transportation and telecommunications, foreign relations, national security, languages, religions, and people and society of Pakistan. Includes a chronology of important events, a glossary, a bibliography, and statistical tables. Searchable. “Completed [in] April 1994.” A part of the Web site Country Studies, from the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
AUGUST 15
NATIONAL DAY (LIECHTENSTEIN)
Country Profile: Liechtenstein
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1066002.stm
Profile of the “Principality of Liechtenstein … a tiny, landlocked country much of whose wealth is based on its status as a low tax haven.” Includes demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events back to 1719, and brief listings of leaders and media outlets. Site also includes links to related news stories, and audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
INDEPENDENCE DAY (CONGO – BRAZZAVILLE, IND)
Congo maluku.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Congo_maluku.jpg
Country Profile: Republic of Congo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1076794.stm
Profile of the Republic of Congo, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events, and information about Congolese leaders and media. Site also includes links to related news stories and audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
AUGUST 17
INDEPENDENCE DAY (GABON & INDONESIA)
Country Profile: Gabon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023203.stm
Profile of Gabon, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events, and information about Gabonese leaders and media. Site also includes audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Wild Indonesia
http://www.pbs.org/wildindonesia/
Companion site to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) series of wildlife programs that “explore this spectacular archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, stretching 3,000 miles from Asia to Australia.” Topics addressed include the Komodo dragon and the birth of the fourth island in the Krakatau group (and the eruption of Krakatau in 1883). Also includes classroom resources and links to related sites.
AUGUST 18
INDEPENDENCE DAY (AFGHANISTAN)
Afghanistan Online
http://www.afghan-web.com/index.html
News, economy, culture, geography, politics, history, and sports are among the many topics covered at this site. Special features include a collection of materials on human rights and Afghan women, a photo gallery, a collection of recipes (in culture section), and links to other Afghan resources. Searchable.
AUGUST 19
NATIONAL AVIATION DAY
Northrop YA-13 051116-F-1234P-073.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:051116-F-1234P-073.jpg
The Aviation Zone
http://www.theaviationzone.com/
“The Aviation Zone is the most comprehensive online resource for military transports, aerial tankers, and fixed-wing gunships, from 1940 to present day. Over 75 different aircraft are represented within, most having distinguished service records and a significant presence in the annals of military airlift history….This site currently contains over 1900 High-Quality images, detailed factsheets with aircraft diagrams, and numerous media files.”
AUGUST 24
INDEPENDENCE DAY (UKRAINE)
NationMaster.com – Ukraine
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/up-ukraine
Compare nations of the world. Provides date from “the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. Generate maps, graphs, and statistics.
“Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties”
Ukraine: History, Geography, Government, and Culture – InfoPlease.com
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108070.html?pageno=2
Basic facts about all of the countries of the world. Entries include a map; flag; official name; current ruler; land area; population; capital; largest cities; monetary unit; languages; ethnicity/race; religions; literacy rate; economy; government; and history.
“When President Leonid Kravchuk was elected by the Ukrainian parliament in 1990, he vowed to seek Ukrainian sovereignty. Ukraine declared its independence on Aug. 24, 1991”
AUGUST 25
INDEPENDENCE DAY (URUGUAY)
Flag of Uruguay.svg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Uruguay.svg
NationMaster.com – Uruguay
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/uy-uruguay
Compare nations of the world. Provides date from “the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. Generate maps, graphs, and statistics.
Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle.
Uruguay: History, Geography, Government, and Culture – InfoPlease.com
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108124.html
Basic facts about all of the countries of the world. Entries include a map; flag; official name; current ruler; land area; population; capital; largest cities; monetary unit; languages; ethnicity/race; religions; literacy rate; economy; government; and history.
Prior to European settlement, Uruguay was inhabited by indigenous people, the Charrúas. Juan Díaz de Solis, a Spaniard, visited Uruguay in 1516, but the Portuguese were first to settle it when they founded the town of Colonia del Sacramento in 1680. After a long struggle, Spain wrested the country from Portugal in 1778, by which time almost all of the indigenous people had been exterminated. Uruguay revolted against Spain in 1811, only to be conquered in 1817 by the Portuguese from Brazil. Independence was reasserted with Argentine help in 1825, and the republic was set up in 1828.
AUGUST 27
INDEPENDENCE DAY (MOLDOVA)
NationMaster.com – Moldova
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/md-moldova
Compare nations of the world. Provides date from “the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. Generate maps, graphs, and statistics.
Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a “Transnistria” republic.
AUGUST 31
INDEPENDENCE DAY (KYRGYZSTAN)
Country Profile: Kyrgyzstan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1296485.stm
This news site provides an overview of Kyrgyzstan, including a brief history, profile of leaders, timeline of key events, and description of local media. Features news stories, audio files, and links to related sites. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Kyrgyzstan: A Country Study
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/kgtoc.html
Contains a historical overview, and information on the geography, economy, government, transportation and telecommunications, foreign relations, national security, languages, religions, and people and society of Kyrgyzstan. Includes a glossary, a bibliography, and statistical tables. Searchable. “Completed [in] March 1996.” A part of the Web site Country Studies, from the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
NATIONAL DAY (MALAYSIA)
NationMaster.com – Malaysia
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia
Compare nations of the world. Provides date from “the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. Generate maps, graphs, and statistics.
Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country’s history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore’s secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism.
INDEPENDENCE DAY (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)
First postage stamp series of Trinidad. Scott#3a
Trinidad1851scott3a.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trinidad1851scott3a.jpg
Country Profile: Trinidad and Tobago
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1209827.stm
Profile of this island nation in the Caribbean, including demographic facts, historical overview, timeline of key events back to 1498, and information about leaders and media. Site also includes audio of the national anthem. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Below we list the full URLs for each of the TinyURL’s (http://tinyurl.com/) used in this document.
TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/26qjnsw
Full URL: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Satellite_image_of_Jamaica_in_November_2001.jpg
The August 2010 issue of The Link: The Official Newsletter of ipl2 was created by Robert Chrystal, Natalie McGrath, Bryan Sherwood, Valerie Singler, and Denise Stewart – students in Dr. Abels’ spring 2010 INFO 740 Digital Reference Service course at Drexel University. Michael Galloway serves as advisor for the newsletter team.
